Uptake of compounds that selectively kill multidrug-resistant cells: the copper transporter SLC31A1 (CTR1) increases cellular accumulation of the thiosemicarbazone NSC73306

Mol Pharm. 2014 Aug 4;11(8):2692-702. doi: 10.1021/mp500114e. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Abstract

Acquired drug resistance in cancer continues to be a challenge in cancer therapy, in part due to overexpression of the drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, MDR1, ABCB1). NSC73306 is a thiosemicarbazone compound that displays greater toxicity against cells expressing functional P-gp than against other cells. Here, we investigate the cellular uptake of NSC73306, and examine its interaction with P-gp and copper transporter 1 (CTR1, SLC31A1). Overexpression of P-gp sensitizes LLC-PK1 cells to NSC73306. Cisplatin (IC50 = 77 μM), cyclosporin A (IC50 = 500 μM), and verapamil (IC50 = 700 μM) inhibited cellular accumulation of [(3)H]NSC73306. Cellular hypertoxicity of NSC73306 to P-gp-expressing cells was inhibited by cisplatin in a dose-dependent manner. Cells transiently expressing the cisplatin uptake transporter CTR1 (SLC31A1) showed increased [(3)H]NSC73306 accumulation. In contrast, CTR1 knockdown decreased [(3)H]NSC73306 accumulation. The presence of NSC73306 reduced CTR1 levels, similar to the negative feedback of CTR1 levels by copper or cisplatin. Surprisingly, although cisplatin is a substrate of CTR1, we found that CTR1 protein was overexpressed in high-level cisplatin-resistant KB-CP20 and BEL7404-CP20 cell lines. We confirmed that the CTR1 protein was functional, as uptake of NSC73306 was increased in KB-CP20 cells compared to their drug-sensitive parental cells, and downregulation of CTR1 in KB-CP20 cells reduced [(3)H]NSC73306 accumulation. These results suggest that NSC73306 is a transport substrate of CTR1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / chemistry
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Copper Transporter 1
  • Cyclosporine / chemistry
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacokinetics*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • LLC-PK1 Cells
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Swine
  • Thiosemicarbazones / chemistry
  • Verapamil / administration & dosage

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Copper Transporter 1
  • Indoles
  • NSC73306
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SLC31A1 protein, human
  • Thiosemicarbazones
  • Copper
  • Cyclosporine
  • Verapamil
  • Cisplatin